Adrenal steroid hormone concentrations in dogs with hair cycle arrest (Alopecia X) before and during treatment with melatonin and mitotane

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate intermediate adrenal steroid hormones (ISH) in neutered dogs with hair cycle arrest (Alopecia X) during treatment with melatonin, and to see if hair re-growth is associated with sex hormone concentrations within the normal ranges. Twenty-nine neutered, euthyroid, and normo-cortisolemic dogs were enrolled in the study (23 Pomeranians, three keeshonds, two miniature poodles, and one Siberian husky). Coat assessment and an ACTH stimulation test were performed pre-treatment and approximately every 4 months for a year post treatment. Melatonin was administered initially at 3-6 mg, every 12 h. Based on clinical progression, each dog was continued on the current dose of melatonin, given an increased dose of melatonin or changed to mitotane. Partial to complete hair re-growth occurred in 14/23 Pomeranians, and partial re-growth in 3/3 keeshond and 1/2 poodle dogs. A Siberian husky dog failed to re-grow hair. Fifteen dogs had partial hair re-growth at the first re-evaluation. Melatonin dosage was increased in eight dogs but only one had improved hair re-growth. On mitotane treatment, partial to complete hair re-growth was seen in 4/6 dogs and no re-growth in 2/6 dogs. No significant decrease in sex hormone concentrations were seen during melatonin or mitotane treatment. Concentrations of ISH in dogs with hair re-growth did not differ significantly from pre-treatment values. At the completion of the study, androstenedione, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were still above reference ranges in 21, 64 and 36%, respectively, of dogs with partial to complete hair re-growth. In conclusion, 62% of dogs had partial to complete hair re-growth. However, not all dogs with hair re-growth had concentrations of ISH within the normal range.

Hyperphosphatasemia and concurrent adrenal gland dysfunction in apparently healthy Scottish Terriers

“…The reference intervals we used to evaluate the results of adrenal gland function tests were established at the reference laboratory, which performed the adrenal assays in accordance with standard methods. 22 We have no reason to assume these ranges were not applicable to our study population, nor are we aware of the percentage of dogs of breeds other than the Scottish Terrier in which all adrenal hormone concentrations are within the reference interval. However, we can infer from the standard statistical approach used to establish these ranges that there would be a probability of only 2.5% that a healthy dog would have a serum cortisol concentration above the reference interval after ACTH stimulation and a probability of 12.5% of that dog having ≥ 1 of the 5 other noncortisol steroid hormones similarly increased.…”

“…Dogs with hyperphosphatasemia had serum ALP activities greater than the reference interval; dogs without hyperphosphatasemia had serum ALP activities within the reference interval. Reference intervals for steroid hormones were previously established 22,27 (Appendix).…”

“…[22][23][24][25][26] Serum bile acids were measured in preprandial samples (obtained from dogs after food was withheld for 12 hours) and postprandial samples (obtained 2 hours after feeding). Urine samples were obtained via cystocentesis.…”

“…Sex-specific reference intervals 22,27 for serum adrenal steroid hormone concentrations in dogs before and after ACTH stimulation.…”

From Molecular Biology to Anti‐aging Cognitive‐Behavioral Practices: The Pioneering Research of Walter Pierpaoli on the Pineal and Bone Marrow Foreshadows the Contemporary Revolution in Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

“…Moreover, as Pierpaoli et al expressed, the “striking,”“astonishing,” comparatively youthful appearance of the melatonin‐treated mice, also implies that other tissues would have been influenced by the treatment; in fact, several other relevant tissues have recently been found to possess regenerative capacities in response to melatonin. In particular, melatonin has very recently been found to be synthesized in hair follicles,98 and to stimulate growth and regeneration (e.g., to stimulate the anagen phase of the hair cycle) in hair and fur, respectively, of humans99 and various animal species, including dogs,100 raccoon dogs,101 ferrets,102 mink,103 and goats 104…”